On Nov. 15, Spartan Manufacturing continued their production of over 250 ornaments for the city of Superior’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony. The ceremony took place Nov. 24, outside of the Superior Public Library, where hot drinks and snacks were served. 

At the ceremony, Spartan Manufacturing students sold the ornaments for $5 each, which were created from the Christmas tree used last year. 

Spartan Manufacturing leader and tech ed teacher, Adam Kuhlman, helped to supply the shop with the materials needed for this project. 

“The city brought in the tree with the ends of the branches painted so it wouldn’t dry out. But then the students cut and sanded and programmed the machine to actually make the ornaments,” Kuhlman said. 

Senior, Connor Kittleson, said students spent about one hour per 10 ornaments, created out of discs of last year’s Christmas tree. Time was spent cutting, sanding, and using a laser engraver to etch a design onto the face of the ornaments. In total, over 250 were made, all by students in Spartan Manufacturing.

At the ceremony, students had a table where they sold the ornaments. While the event went on, attendees could enjoy drinks, snacks, and a visit with Santa, who arrived on a fire truck. Mayor Jim Paine was also present, leading the unveiling of a wood carving, created from last year’s Christmas tree. 

The new Christmas tree was planted with plans to keep it there for years to come, instead of planting a new large one every year.